Marquis Cooper Success Story
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Internship Success Stories
Marquis Cooper ’14
Gibbstown, New Jersey
Major: Accounting, School of Management
Internship: Internal Revenue Service – Small Business/ Self-Employed (SB/SE) Division
Now works as an Audit Associate with Gray, Gray, & Gray
“Internships are the perfect way to not only gain industry experience, but to narrow down what you want to do in life and know how to pursue it”
Company Profile
The IRS has a Small Business/Self Employed Division that regulates the compliance of small businesses and self-employed taxpayers and assists them in navigating the Federal Tax environment. The division consists of Revenue Agents and Collections Agents that ensure the compliance of taxpayers within the division’s jurisdiction
What did you do?
I performed bank deposit analyses, reviewed ledgers and records, and other auditing procedures for taxpayer examinations. I also had the opportunity to assist Internal Revenue agents in conducting interviews with taxpayers, CPA’s, and representatives, to inquire about earnings, deductions, costs, and other line items that appeared on the tax returns being audited.
What did you learn?
I learned how important it is for an accounting or finance professional to be knowledgeable about tax law and administration. Many of the Revenue Agents that I worked with were former CPA’s and accounting professionals and advised me to try to spend a portion of my professional career within the IRS to gain a well-rounded perspective on the accounting field.
Advice for Others
1. NETWORK! Be sure to join professional organizations both on- and off-campus, attend meetings, and networking events, and look into opportunities for informational interviews with industry professionals.
2. Use your connections on-campus! Being a Student Assistant in the Experiential Education & Career Services office has been a phenomenal launching pad for me to meet employers and recruiters from the IRS and many other organizations. Be sure to attend career fairs and employer presentations hosted by EE&CS and reach out to faculty to gain their perspective on the industry and connections.
